Greenaway Architects and Mantirri Design are proud to collaborate with Swinburne University of Technology in the design of Indigenous Learning Circles at three Melbourne campuses — Hawthorn, Croydon, and Wantirna. This transformative initiative aims to elevate Swinburne’s connection to Country, honouring the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and fostering cultural exchange within next gen_campus projects.

Developed in consultation with Indigenous students and staff, Wurundjeri elders, the Indigenous Learning Circles will revitalise key public spaces, and pay tribute to the traditional owners of the lands on which Swinburne’s campuses are situated.

The four key principles guiding the design process are centered on connecting the local community and Country, encouraging cultural exchange, linking with Aunty Dot Peters AM Flowering Grasslands, and amplifying Country via cultural expression. These principles are the foundation for creating spaces that empower, inspire, and connect people to learning, culture, and well-being.

The Indigenous Learning Circles will be pivotal in supporting students, providing spaces that transcend traditional learning environments and encourage different modes of thinking. Students will have the opportunity to reflect, set goals, and deepen their understanding of what they’ve learned in class.

Drawing on these principles, the design for Hawthorn connects with the significance of the Yarra River and water to the Indigenous people. The native and Indigenous planting extends to Croydon and Wantirna, where individual planting reflects the respective contexts of mountains and open plains. Seating and artworks across all campuses will inspire reflections on connection to Country and the rich culture of traditional owners.

Greenaway Architects and Mantirri Design are dedicated to creating Indigenous Learning Circles that go beyond physical spaces—they are environments that embrace Indigenous knowledge, cultural exchange, and the unique context of each Swinburne campus. We are excited to contribute to these transformative spaces that celebrate and nurture the connection to Country for generations to come.